Alcohol consumption and tonsil cancer?

Fire34 said:

Drinking
Needhope
I was asked about 100 times if I drank or smoked prior to my treatment. Almost drove my wife & I crazy. The Doctors never did say how much alcohol was too much or if I had to stop. I only had the occasional drink going out to eat.
I was HPV+ which was probably part of my cause. I had SCC of the right side of my neck with unknown primary. 6 months post treatment my first scan came back negative.
I know this probalby hasn't answered your question but that was all we were told and that was not much. Sorry

Mine was SCC BOT with mets
Mine was SCC BOT with mets to one lymph. No surgery but chemo and radiation. I just had my 6 month PET a week ago Wednesday and saw Onco 2 days ago. Everything was good, scan was clear. In the last year I had some Champagne on New Years, A Gin/Tonic in March and a Guinness about 3 weeks ago. I asked Onco what he thought was prudent and his response was that as far as he's concerned I am a normal person. Don't go crazy but certainly enjoy yourself. I think it is a decision you have to make for yourself. I'll probably continue to have a drink few and far between but that is just me. When I do have one, I will enjoy. Good luck.

Mike

fishingirl said:

PET scan
Congratulations on your clean PET scan!! Continue good health!!
Cindy

Alcohol

I just inquired about being able to enjoy the odd social drink with the dietician from our
cancer centre. Apparently not a problem. I suppose the key is everything in moderation.
Congratulation's on your pet scan!

Hondo said:

Hi Needhope
I don’t want to be the negative one here but Google Alcohol and Cancer. I don’t want to do anything to increase the risk of me getting this stuff again.

According to a report from the American Institute for Cancer Research, Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective, there is convincing evidence that alcohol increase the risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus, please see the attached link below.

http://www.healthcastle.com/alcoholandcancer.shtml

Take care

FWIW
I smoked from age 18 to 38, and drank from about age 19 to, well, today. My tonsil cancer was HPV-derived. I still drink: a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, or maybe a microbrew or two depending on what we're eating. I pretty much save the hard stuff for a once-a-week treat, and then only one glass.
My doctor did not tell me not to drink after treatment. I think the key here is moderation -- in all that we do.

--Jim in Delaware

Alcohol
I'm a social drinker and I asked my doctors the same question. One said the regular answer, it is a risk factor the other said
it is Ok because I would have to have to been in AA and drinking hard everyday. I'm 8 weeks out of radiation and beer taste like
sewer water, maybe someday it will taste good again.

My doctor said 50% of all new cases of neck cancer he sees are HPV maker 16 positive, just like me. Many doctors are not testing for HPV
My doctor said over 90% of the population have the HPV virus. My cancer was caused by the HPV virus and my doctors were glad
because it is not from smoking or alcohol.

Good Topic

When I first met my ENT Surgeon, he asked me how many Cigarettes I smoked each day, I told him I never smoked. He then asked how many cases of beer I drink each week. I told him I'm a non-drinker. He shook his head and asked " why are you in my office? ". He then told me that roughly 95% of his patients are drinkers and smokers.

I know it is hard to believe a Marine doesn't do these things, but there are some of us out there that don't. I would drink orange juice and say that I was drinking screw drivers. : )

I talked to my Radiation Oncologist when I was going through the radiation and he told me to not use mouthwash with alcohol, as it will burn my mouth and throat. He was right, while at the Dentist, I tried a small amount prior to the Dentist coming into the exam room, brought instant tears to my eyes.

The RO also told me that the radiation changes the DNA in our tissue radiated and that alcohol can be absorb easier into our tissue causing more problems down the road. So, I use the Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste.

But, as it has already been mentioned, each one of us reacts differently. I'll take the path of caution.

My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

MarineE5 said:

Good Topic

When I first met my ENT Surgeon, he asked me how many Cigarettes I smoked each day, I told him I never smoked. He then asked how many cases of beer I drink each week. I told him I'm a non-drinker. He shook his head and asked " why are you in my office? ". He then told me that roughly 95% of his patients are drinkers and smokers.

I know it is hard to believe a Marine doesn't do these things, but there are some of us out there that don't. I would drink orange juice and say that I was drinking screw drivers. : )

I talked to my Radiation Oncologist when I was going through the radiation and he told me to not use mouthwash with alcohol, as it will burn my mouth and throat. He was right, while at the Dentist, I tried a small amount prior to the Dentist coming into the exam room, brought instant tears to my eyes.

The RO also told me that the radiation changes the DNA in our tissue radiated and that alcohol can be absorb easier into our tissue causing more problems down the road. So, I use the Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste.

But, as it has already been mentioned, each one of us reacts differently. I'll take the path of caution.

My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

GOOD ONE E-5
Hi everyone,

I am 3 weeks out of treatment now, and I am trying to probably do things I should not.
Just trying the only way I know how to get some strength back, working on projects. I am building a wooden swing set/ play area for my grand kids right now. Pretty physically trying as I feel like I have been given an extra 20 years in 2 months. The last couple of days I have had a beer or two each day. Not whole ones, I can't get em down before they get too hot. Yea, they burn a little, but they taste pretty good, and they help with the pain.

Now remember, I smoked for 40 years and drank for 37 years, and 2 days after I was told I had cancer I quit both cold turkey. I was also HPV positive. I will never consume beer like I used to, but I will probably have a couple a day when I feel like it. I have to drink water after every drink of beer.

Best,
Steve

staceya said:

HPV positive
My tumor was HPV + as well. Which makes me wonder about screening persons for HPV and then oral screens for those who are positive. I never knew about the HPV, and as you ALL know too well, NPC does not always show up early..Has anyone heard about planned screening. Has anyone wondered if their children should be screened for NPC and how?
Thanks
Stacey

HPV information and Alcohol
I love this post regarding alcohol consumption. One of Marks's pleasures, in addition to eating, is being able to have a drink. So all the feedback on this post is very interesting to me.

Regarding HPV: I have a tremendous amount of questions. Someone wrote in another post it is believed 90% of people walk around with HPV. HPV causes cervical cancer in women. I know a lot of factors go into contracting any cancer and that includes HPV+ oral cancer...but HPV is a virus that never leaves the body. Can someone who has cancer in thier left tonsil, then get it in their right because the HPV is always there? And yes, what about screening? If one family memberis susceptible would another family member have an increased chance? HPV is transmitted sexually, dare I ask, what does that mean for that activity? I plan on doing some investigating in this area...but if anyone out there can enlighten me, that would be great!.

stevenl said:

GOOD ONE E-5
Hi everyone,

I am 3 weeks out of treatment now, and I am trying to probably do things I should not.
Just trying the only way I know how to get some strength back, working on projects. I am building a wooden swing set/ play area for my grand kids right now. Pretty physically trying as I feel like I have been given an extra 20 years in 2 months. The last couple of days I have had a beer or two each day. Not whole ones, I can't get em down before they get too hot. Yea, they burn a little, but they taste pretty good, and they help with the pain.

Now remember, I smoked for 40 years and drank for 37 years, and 2 days after I was told I had cancer I quit both cold turkey. I was also HPV positive. I will never consume beer like I used to, but I will probably have a couple a day when I feel like it. I have to drink water after every drink of beer.

Best,
Steve

Through personal research
Guinness draft (in black bottle) seems to be the ONLY beer/ale that I can tolerate without the extreme burning sensation. Of course it's one of the more expensive brews on the market at 10.25 a six pack. So, not alot of guzzling going on with that stuff.

Larry

Kimba1505 said:

HPV information and Alcohol
I love this post regarding alcohol consumption. One of Marks's pleasures, in addition to eating, is being able to have a drink. So all the feedback on this post is very interesting to me.

Regarding HPV: I have a tremendous amount of questions. Someone wrote in another post it is believed 90% of people walk around with HPV. HPV causes cervical cancer in women. I know a lot of factors go into contracting any cancer and that includes HPV+ oral cancer...but HPV is a virus that never leaves the body. Can someone who has cancer in thier left tonsil, then get it in their right because the HPV is always there? And yes, what about screening? If one family memberis susceptible would another family member have an increased chance? HPV is transmitted sexually, dare I ask, what does that mean for that activity? I plan on doing some investigating in this area...but if anyone out there can enlighten me, that would be great!.

HPV
I'm by no means an expert nor medical professional. I have read a lot of theories on contraction of HPV. Some do feel that it's sexually related, others don't. Some feel that everyone has HPV cells and cancer cells in your body. It's just luck of the draw, stress, weight, who knows exactly what triggers them to become active.

I asked some of your questions to my Chemo Doctor. My wife asked them of her Gynecologist, my son asked his General Physician.

All that I can really derive is that basically anyone that has had sex has had the potential to have been infected with HPV. Most that have been exposed can become infected and it go away never progressing to cancer, sometime it does.

Also, you might carry it for several years and it never show up.

In my case I know that neither myself or my wife have been with anyone else for over 20 years and I was diagnosed with HPV derived throat cancer.

Here is a pretty good site with a lot of interesting reading. Does it really tell me anything for sure on how I got HPV derived throat cancer, I don't really think so;

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV

Here's another, especially read the last paragraph;

"The important concept with HPV is not to become overly concerned about having manifestations of the virus. There is no way that a reasonable person in this day and age should have a cervical cancer develop. they just need to have periodic Pap smears and pelvic exams. Because you have just found out you have HPV cervical changes does not mean your partner has been unfaithful. You could have contracted the virus at any time you ever had sexual relations or so could your partner before meeting you. You or your partner may even have been part of the 3% of people who were positive for HPV from childhood. Try not to despair and panic about this. There are hundreds, if not more, of "incurable" viruses you have been exposed to during your life up to this point and more yet to come. So just be careful and vigilant."

http://www.wdxcyber.com/nvulva04.htm

John